Covid-19: The Myth and the Answers

Covid-19: The Myth and the Answers

M 1: Covid-19 spread through food especially eating chicken, eggs, and meat.
A: There is no conclusive evidence that the properly cooked food transmits the disease

M 2: covid-19 can spread through pets.
A: The transmission of disease has not been seen through pets.

M 3: The dead body of a person infected with Coronavirus transmit the infection.
A: There is no transmission of Coronavirus infection from the dead body of the person.

M 4: The Virus cannot survive in hot & humid places.
A: from the evidence so far, this virus can be transmitted in ALL AREAS including hot and humid climates.

M 5: Taking a hot bath can prevent the new coronavirus disease.
A: No, it won’t. Taking a hot bath frequently with extremely hot water can be harmful. It also can reduce/lower your immune system.

M 6: It can be transmitted through mosquito bites.
A: To date, there is no information nor evidence to that myth. The new coronavirus is a respiratory virus which spreads primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose.

M 7: Hand dryers are effective in killing the new coronavirus.
A: No. Hand dryers are not effective in killing the 2019-nCoV. Once your hands are cleaned, you should dry them thoroughly by using paper towels or a warm air dryer.

M 8: An ultraviolet disinfection lamp can kill the new coronavirus.
A: UV lamps should not be used to sterilize hands or other areas of skin as UV radiation can cause skin irritation.

M 9; Vaccines against pneumonia protect you against the new coronavirus.
A: No. Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine, do not protect against the new coronavirus. The virus is so new and different that it needs its vaccine.

M 10: Regularly rinsing your nose with saline help prevent infection with the new coronavirus
A: No. No evidence regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from infection with the new coronavirus.

M 11: Eating garlic help prevent infection with the new coronavirus.
A: Garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties. However, no evidence from the current outbreak eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus.

M 12: The new coronavirus affects older people only.
A: People of all ages can be infected by the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV). WHO advises people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus, for example by following good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene

M 13: Antibiotics are effective in preventing and treating the new coronavirus.
A: No, antibiotics do not work against viruses, only bacteria.

M 14: There is a Japanese/foreign medicine to prevent or treat the new coronavirus
A: To date, there is no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

Source: All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), World Health Organization (WHO)